JUST DENNIS When I think about Dennis many aspects of his personality come to mind. Perhaps the best way I could find to describe him was to use the term a Renaissance Hippy. Not a renaissance Man but a Renaissance Hippy. I use the word hippy because to me Dennis was the Coolest and Hippest person I knew and I have ever met. His many abilities, talents and thirst for knowledge made him a Renaissance Hippy. Which I define as: A man with many talents or areas of knowledge and who is Ultimately Cool and Hip and not like anyone else you have met in your life! He was Self taught, Charismatic, Free thinker, Artistic, Unconventional, Well Read, Sportsman, Explorer, Entrepreneur, Humble and All this was Effortless. The Ultimate Cool Renaissance Hippy! The stories everyone sent me these past few weeks emphasized and showcased Dennis’ many talents. Several areas kept coming up and those are what I would like to talk about today. His loves besides Susan and his family for Nature and Food & Drink and of course Adventure. His Unending Thirst for Knowledge- all kinds of knowledge His Natural ability as a teacher and coach topped off with

I feel so fortunate to have a lifetime of wonderful memories of time spent with Dennis! As a teen, my family visited (all the way from California!) I remember our time spent in the house Susan and Dennis  rented in Baton Rouge so fondly. Although I was surely a goofy teen who talked too much, Dennis always took the time to listen and make me feel as if my ideas and opinions mattered. Plus, he introduced me to so much great music on that trip and gifted me an Otis Redding record that my dad said I was going to wear the grooves off of because I played it so often!  A few years later we visited Susan and Dennis in their trailer at Bull Spring Farms. Dennis took me horse back riding and made the only lima bean dish that I have ever enjoyed. We picked the lima beans fresh off of the beans growing in their garden! And still more years later we visited and got to meet Robin, the light of Dennis’ life. At some point during the trip, Robin stayed behind to have some Nana and Pawpaw time while a bunch of us went to Dauphin

I have so many good childhood memories of Uncle Dennis at the farm and more recently in New Orleans. He, along with Aunt Susan and Robin, always made sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time. He is loved and will be missed! Melanie Wood

The last time I saw my brother Dennis was the week before Christmas when I stopped by the old family house on Highway Dr. for a visit. We chatted for a while and then decided to go to Bud’s Broiler on Jefferson Highway get some lunch. Bud’s Broiler is noted for its burgers, of course, but not so much for its desserts. So Dennis suggested that since we had to wait a few minutes for the burgers anyway, why not walk across the street to Haydel’s Bakery, which is famous for its desserts. What an outstanding suggestion! I got a couple of Danish. Dennis, being an experienced Haydel’s customer, knew that what’s in the display cabinets up front is not necessarily all that’s available. He spied what looked like a piece of Doberge cake in the cooler behind the counter. Sure enough, the checkout lady confirmed it was Doberge. With our desserts now boxed, we walked back to Bud’s Broiler, got our burgers and fries, and had a great lunch…. plus desserts!  It was a classic Dennis afternoon. We’ll all miss you Dennis. Stephen Riedlinger

Susan & Dennis’ annual Oubre’  family reunion memories are cherished – seeing Dot & Millie on a horse, finding a calf in the hay, roasting marshmallows on the fire at night, and who can forget Snowball snagging the pig’s head!  What fun! Dennis has a smile, kindness, and sunny disposition that is hard to forget. Thanks for the fond memories! Alida

Some of my favorite memories with Uncle Dennis include New Orleans Jazzfest! It is one of my favorite events in New Orleans. He was one of the head guys in charge and really pushed me to work and volunteer with him before the fest. One of my favorite memories was us driving in a golf cart around the fairgrounds. We were some of the only people there. It was quiet and so fun to see all of the set up before the festival began. We would go set up fire extinguishers on the stages and be able to look out on what would be a large crowd in the upcoming days.  It’s something I hope to never forget. Jazzfest will not be the same without seeing him at Barn 11 when we go to escape the rain or sun. I’ll think of him everytime I look at my jazzfest posters hanging in my house. I love you, Uncle Dennis!

I was so incredibly lucky to have Dennis as my Uncle. My very best childhood memories are going to the farm to be with Robin and Dennis and Susan and whatever cast of characters were there at the time. But I’m so glad my last memory of Dennis is seeing him with his granddaughter. What an amazing sight! Daniel Riedlinger